FREMONT — Archbishop Hoban High School’s run for the Division II state football title came to an end Nov. 21 in Fremont.

The Knights (9-5) had earned a trip to the state semifinal matchup by winning three close games in the playoffs. However, Hoban was out-manned by an undefeated Sylvania Southview High School (14-0) squad at Don Paul Stadium, coming up short by a score of 31-0.

In the first three games of its playoff run, Hoban’s defense had really stepped up, as the Knights defeated: Warren Howland High School, 21-10; Mayfield High School, 16-13; and Tallmadge High School, 17-14. However, the 37 points given up in all three of those contests combined were nearly matched by Southview’s 35 points in the semifinal game.

Hoban had its work cut out coming into the game. The Cougars had outscored Hoban by more than 200 points for the season, while allowing nearly 100 fewer points than the Knights had for the year.

But Hoban had been on a roll coming into the semifinal game against Southview. Coming off a 3-7 season last year, the Knights started the 2008 campaign with a 2-2 record. But then the team’s senior leadership kicked in as Hoban, led by 32 seniors, won seven of its next nine games to reach the state semifinals.

Unfortunately for the Knights, however, Southview was able to put an end to Hoban’s momentum by playing a nearly flawless game.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Cougars scored on a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter to build a 14-0 halftime lead. In the second half, two more touchdowns and a field goal by the Cougars led to the final score.

Southview was led by quarterback Alex Pidcock, who tossed two touchdown passes — a 60-yarder to Shaun Joplin and a 21-yarder to Jimmy Hall. Pidcock also was the game’s leading rusher, carrying the ball 18 times for 92 yards.

Southview backup quarterback Michael Hehl accounted for the other Southview touchdowns, scoring twice on 3-yard rushing plays. Southview kicker Tim Hausfeld, who connected on all four of his extra point attempts, added a 26-yard field goal.

The Knights were held to 123 yards of total offense, including 79 yards on 22 carries by senior running back Laymon Carter III.

Carter, who had registered 217 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the previous week’s victory over Tallmadge, entered the game against Southview with 16 touchdowns on 1,669 rushing yards for the season.

Against Hoban, the Cougars were able to accumulate 187 yards through the air and added 154 yards more via their ground game.

On defense, Southview was successful in getting to the quarterback, sacking Hoban quarterback Josh Masters seven times.

The shutout was Southview’s third of the year. It was the first time this season Hoban had been held scoreless.

Southview will go on to face defending state champion Cincinnati Anderson (12-2) in the Division II state championship game Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. at Massillon Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. It will be Southview’s first state championship game appearance since its title game loss in 1999.

In more positive news, the Knights had some players named to the Associated Press All-Northeast Inland District Football Team for Division II.

Hoban had five players, all seniors, named to the first team. Hoban’s first-teamers were Carter, wide receiver Brian Slack, offensive lineman David Sutter, defensive lineman Justin Gordon and defensive back Dominic Williams.

Making the second team from the Knights was junior kicker Zach Christensen.

And earning honorable mention for the Knights were senior defensive back Zach Buzzelli-Andes, senior punter Pat Kramer, freshman wide receiver Greg McMullen and senior linebacker Andy Volcheck.